My Little Sisters Wedding

Chapter 24 - Reception

"Can we please welcome the wedding party, Georgia and Samuel, Emily and Callum, Sarah and Ethan. Round of applause everyone. Now we have the beautiful and very single Maid-of-honour, Cameron and also the Bestman, Jack. Big round of applause, please." Uncle Tom said as he held the mic tight in his hand. He is deffinately getting a shit present for christmas from me. He was the MC for the night and he was the perfect choice; he was equally charismatic and charming.

Jack came up beside me and reached for my hand. He smiled politely before he escorted me forward into the large marquee where everyone was standing while clapping and cheering. We made it to our seats and he pulled out mine before he went down the table towards the groomsmen to stand at his. Edward stood at his table with Mum, Dad, Nana, Grandma Ivy and Aunt Debbie, smiling at me, making an obscene hand to mouth gesture while flicking his eyes from me to Jack.

'Fuck you.' I mouthed at him while looking over at Jack, just to make sure he hadn't seen. Edward knew how to piss me off, he was such a typical brother.

"And now introducing Mr. and Mrs. COOPER!" The marquee filled with loud cheers and wolf whistles as everybody welcomed the new married couple inside.
After we had all calmed down and taken our seats Uncle Tom began to go through the reception schedual and soon after starters were served. Finally, I could talk to my sister wothout being interupted.

"Carol! Your married!" I said as I finished my mouthful of pork belly.

"I know! I'm now Mrs. Carol Cooper!" She scrunched her face before saying, "Ew! That sounds weird." We both laughed and started chatting away.

Finally dinner was served and speeches were about to start. Daniels Dad started.

"I had 29 years to prepare something, I ended up getting this off the internet this morning, I haven't read it yet so I hope it's a good one." Daniels father started as we all erupted into laughter. Daniels father has always been a joker from the six years Caz and Daniel have been dating. "I'd like to start by welcoming you all to Daniel and beautiful Carol's wedding day, it's good to see so many of their family and friends here to celebrate their marriage. Thank you to everyone who has put their time and effort into helping to make this day such a lovely occasion. The weather gods also need a mention in despatches as they've managed to cool things down a little whilst keeping the rain away. I would like to mention how beautiful Carol looks today along with the bridesmaids, don't they look stunning?" Everybody clapped and cheered eagerly. "I wont talk for long but I do want to share special memories I have of Daniel growing up. Right from a young age Daniel had always wanted to be doctor, so when he graduated it was one of the proudest moments as a father. I remember when he would run around the house naked and he would tend to everyones booboo's, he was a special child and a blessing at that. He went through a rebellious faze and then he went through girls faster than you could say Bobs-your-Uncle but then one day he said to me, 'Dad, I've met a girl.' I said to him, 'Son thats nice, tell me something I dont know.' He smiled a brightly and said, 'No, this girls different. She's the girl I'm going to marry one day.' Now, here we are at Carol and Daniel's wedding day. You are both so special to me and I couldn't have asked for a lovelier daughter-in-law. Daniel I am so proud to call you my son, I know I don't say it often but I love you. Caz, welcome to the family. That'll be all from me as I might ruin my makeup. Thank you all and lets have a great night. To Dan and Caz!"

"Dan and Caz!" Everybody chanted. Daniel's Dad came over and gave Caz and Daniel a big hug, he smiled brightly at the both of them before taking his seat.

Next was Dad's turn. This was going to be interesting.

"First and foremost Carol's Mother and I would like to welcome and Thank you for being here today. I wont be too long and I hope I don't bore you. As I look at this beautiful woman before me in the lovely wedding gown, I can't help but reflect on the girl she was and the woman she has become. She became 'Daddy's Girl' on the day she was born and has always been a princess to me. All through her life, she has brought joy to her mother and me, and while not every day has been perfect, the love I feel for her has been. And today, she has joined hands with a wonderful young man, and in addition to the sparkle I have always seen in her eyes, today I see a love and joy there beyond anything I have seen thus far. Carol has always had an attitude of compassion to those around her. All through her school years she was loved by all who knew her. She has always been concerned about other people and was especially aware of those less fortunate and perhaps not as popular. She always sought for the best in others and helped them to feel valued. Now that sense of compassion reaches its apex in her life thus far as it becomes focused on the one man with whom she has chosen to spend the rest of her life. Daniel you are a fine young man and I am so very honoured and proud to call you my Son-in-law. Thank you very much for making my only daughter the happiest girl in the world. To Carol and Daniel." I sat staring at my father in disbelief at what I just heard. Did he just say his only daughter? Surely that had to be a typo on the piece of paper he was holding. Everything around me slowed down. The lift of the glasses, the chanting of the names; everything became slow motion. What did he mean my only daughter? Did he not see me as his daughter? Did I dissapoint him that much that he would embarrass me infront of the people who knew mine and my fathers relationship the best? I was hurt. I felt my heart constrict in my chest as I made eye contact with my Nana who stared at me. She didn't have to mouth anything to me, the look in her eyes spoke volumes. She could feel my pain as though she was my mother and that she had carried me in her belly for nine months. I looked over to my mother who was staring at her husband like he just grew two heads. My eyes wandered and I wish they didn't. I was met with the smerking eyes of Grandma Ivy. She wore a slickly proud smile as she looked at me and then to her son. I broke eye contact first and looked down at my hands. Caz was too busy talking and hugging Dad to realise I hadn't raised my glass. I didn't bother lifting my head to look at Dad. I sat with my head hung as though everything was my fault. I wasn't going to let anything ruin Caz's day, even if it mean't slapping on a fake smile untill tomorrow, I had to do it.

But still, I was so confused.